The tiny country of the Maldives in the middle of the Indian Ocean is made up of about 1,200 tiny coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. The word atoll actually comes from the the Dhivehi (a language spoken on the Maldives) word “atholhu”. With the highest point above sea level being around 6 feet (2 meters), the Robinson Crusoe life style is everywhere you look. The primary activity on the Maldives is scuba diving and snorkeling. The atolls are all coral reefs hundreds of miles away from any major landmass, meaning that water clarity is excellent and underwater life is abundant. Manta rays, sharks, even a few wrecks, you name it, you can find it in the Maldives.

Capital: Malé.

Coordinates: 3.2000° N, 73.2200° E

Climate/Weather: The Maldives has a tropical climate distinguished by two seasons, or monsoons: the dry northeast monsoon from December to March, and the wet southwestern monsoon from May to November, with more strong winds and rain. April is a transitional period noted for clear water and heat. The temperature remains remarkably consistent at around 30°C.

Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa.

Official language: Dhivehi Language.

Government: Presidential system, Republic.

Ari-MV

Atoll

Dhonakulhi

Fesdu Island

Gan Island

Hanimaadhoo

Ihuru

Kaadedhdhoo

Kaafu Atoll

Kadhdhoo

Kunfunadhoo

Lhaviyanit

Makunufushi

Male

Meedhupparu

Meemu

Moldavia

Vabbinfaru

Velavaru

Attractive Tourist Places

Bluetribe Moofushi

Since the highlights of the Maldives are its great waters and marine life, the Bluetribe Moofushi diving center offers the best experience in terms of water sports activities such as windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, riding on catamarans/pedal boats, and many more activities. Moofushi is also known for the excursions that it offers, where you can spot whale sharks, manta rays and a lot of fish from the shore.

Sun Island Resort & Spa

Second best is the Sun Island Resort and Spa located on South Ari Atoll. Its exotic tropical flowers, beautiful greenery, and the stunning lagoons would capture your heart. It is considered the most luxurious resort in the Maldives with Villa Hotels that offers modern comfort with great facilities. Choose from different beach and water bungalows. Offering a truly unique approach to island living, these Bungalows on Sun Island Resort and Spa offer one of the world’s best lodging experiences.

Alimatha Island

At the third spot is Alimatha Island located at the Vaavu Atoll on the eastern side of the Maldives. It is a complete Maldivian destination for tourists, as it offers world-class diving, aquarium-like snorkeling as well as a central beach complete with great facilities. The island itself has rich green vegetation surrounded by beaches and many stunning sites. With many more things to discover throughout the island, it happily describes itself as a place with a 5-star atmosphere.

Manta Point

Manta Point is a diving area where you can enjoy seeing large numbers of manta rays being fed and cleaned by wrasses. Manta rays circle several large coral rocks, and wait their turn to be cleaned. After being cleaned, they swim gracefully to the reef feeding on shallow water where you can find plankton. Whether you are an experienced diver or a novice one, you will surely enjoy this unique and exciting diving experience that Manta Point offers.

Banana Reef

Banana Reef is the most sought out diving site in the Maldives. It is called Banana Reef because it has the shape of a banana that extends 300 meters from north to south. The major feature of the reef is its marine life, where you can find Napoleon Wrasse, Moray Eels and the rare Bannerfish. The innumerable number of fishes of different colors and sizes, as well as its drift dives gave Banana Reef its reputation as one of the best dive sites in the Maldives.

HP Reef

HP Reef is one of the best diving sites where you can explore different kinds of superb coral reef formations and colorful fish underwater. It is a marine protected area located at the North Male Atoll. If you are looking for a close encounter with numerous marine life beneath the deep blue sea, this place is for you.

National Museum

The building houses a lot of different kinds of historical artifacts that reflect the history of the country. The original museum was the old 3-story museum that is the only remaining part of the Maldivian Royal Palace. The new museum is built and designed by the Chinese Government, and is where eventually the artifacts from the old museum would move to. If you want to know more about Maldivian artifacts and the rich story behind each, this is the perfect place to go.

Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque)

It is the oldest mosque that can be found on the island. The interior of the mosque is superb, and its coral stone walls with carvings of different kinds of patterns and Arabic scripts is truly remarkable. It also houses tombs that have been erected for the memory of sultans, heroes and nobles. The calm and quiet place would be great for people to discover the Islamic culture the Maldivians follow.

Biyadhoo Island Resort

It is a peaceful resort and considered one of the best reef houses in the Maldives PADI Dive Center. The island offers a variety of water sports from diving, snorkeling and many others. There are more than 35 diving spots available in the area, and you can dive in different ways depending on weather conditions and currents.

Utheemu Ganduvaru

It is a historical residence where Sultan Mohamed Thankurufaan lived. This historical site is located in Utheemu, which is an inhabited island in the north of Maldives. Mohamed Thankurufaan is considered one of the heroes of the Maldives, and earned high respects from the Maldivians for his heroic actions and for saving his people from the Portuguese conquerors.